tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post6745098070836289948..comments2024-03-28T03:19:12.867-04:00Comments on space1970: Rant: Wilma Deering, From Colonel To CarhopChristopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-33000047420324234852016-07-26T05:17:17.771-04:002016-07-26T05:17:17.771-04:00Absolutely agree with you, was actually just moani...Absolutely agree with you, was actually just moaning on Twitter about this last night.tarasishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09004397739841551976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-40868361783341526022012-11-12T02:57:41.853-05:002012-11-12T02:57:41.853-05:00By the time this came out I had been in college a ...By the time this came out I had been in college a couple of years and my education has been very heavy on the math and science end so I probably see it a bit differently. The science in these shows suck-but that is true today too. but I really liked some of the 2'nd season story concepts. Some of them were silly- the golden dudes and the dork that could take his head off (I bet Mark Lenard never lived that role down). But so were some of the first season -like the Space vampire. And I never had much use for the so-called Princess or that tiger looking dude. I thought Erin Gray was much more attractive and appealing than the glitzy slut princess.<br />My first thought of Col. Dearing was that she was one of the the top kicks in Earth Defense Directorate and her characterization showed why. A very capable and ambitious officer but possibly promoted too soon. Happens in the real services. I was really teed off at her demotion in the 2'nd season. <br /> One of my favorites was the Return of the Fighting 69'th. The backstory was that she had previously had to make that difficult decisions top kicks make- retiring senior officers. Then comes a mission where their experience and insights are more valuable than fighter pilot reflexes and she has to deal with the bitterness the forced retirement generated. But I noticed that she did what was necessary to accomplish the mission. Also learned why it is so important to keep officers like that around. One of the best episodes and they nailed the most important aspect- told a good story.. <br />I have to ask for your apology though. Although I didn't like her character in the 2'nd season I did like the carhop outfit and I liked the scenes where her uniform was being "Off-thinked". After all I was a young male in my 20's and -a space babe is still a space babe.DaveMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-59173561405035722222012-08-30T17:31:42.908-04:002012-08-30T17:31:42.908-04:00Yes, yes, yes to everything you write here-- I was...Yes, yes, yes to everything you write here-- I was just a little kid when BUCK aired, but it was my favorite show during its first season, and Wilma was a big reason why. I couldn't have articulated it at age six, but there was something about her confidence and strong sense of self I found really attractive, and I remember being utterly confused when the show finally came back following the next year's writers' strike: everything felt different, and not in a good way (and I always disliked Hawk). And it just got worse as that season when on. Thanks for this great, on-point post, and great site-- just discovered it a few minutes ago!<br />PS-- There used to be a Buck Rogers fan site that contained a STARLOG two-parter from...1996, maybe?...where Alan Brennert and some of the other writers go into detail on the development of the show, working with Gil Gerard, dealing with network interference, and trying to write good scripts for Erin Gray (who they all adored). Even before the disastrous second season, that seemed to be a difficult task, as there was a great deal of pressure to just make Wilma the sidekick. I just tried to find the link, but it seems it doesn't exist anymore. But it's worth tracking down the articles, if you're a fan of the show, and especially Wilma.Brian Doanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17903729233401672600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-55875807616607130562012-08-07T16:18:28.388-04:002012-08-07T16:18:28.388-04:00Erin Grey was the first lady to make me think girl...Erin Grey was the first lady to make me think girls might not be so yuck.<br /><br />PS<br />Great site.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-83795221189546924712012-08-06T16:56:09.588-04:002012-08-06T16:56:09.588-04:00The 2nd season does not exist. Much like the first...The 2nd season does not exist. Much like the first 3 Star Wars, Galactica 1980, nor the 4th season of Airwolf.James O Durbin IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03322693655633579000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-57664818791789675022012-08-05T21:49:02.403-04:002012-08-05T21:49:02.403-04:00Correct assessment as usual Sir. I have a very sp...Correct assessment as usual Sir. I have a very special place in my heart for Buck Rogers, and especially Col. Deering. I think 1st season was flawless while 2nd season was the advent of the anti-buck.Doomsdavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00235585177028383618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-58995771842436412902012-08-05T12:20:58.362-04:002012-08-05T12:20:58.362-04:00I re-watched the entire series over a couple of da...I re-watched the entire series over a couple of days (The first time I saw it was as a child). I LOVED it, but it was really striking how the first season felt and looked very "Seventies" while the second was very "Eighties". There was a very clear line of pop-cultural demarcation. <br /><br />Things I liked about the (mostly joyless) second season:<br />1) Hawk (despite the fact he never got the big action moments: It's like if the X-Men introduced the character of Wolverine and then mostly kept him in the background triming hedges at the mansion), 2) The satyr on a lizard-horse with an energy whip (a character that could have stepped right out of a Marvel comic of the era...in the middle of a grim, "Important" episode about domestic abuse. Talk about ridiculous and sublime...), and 3) Buck just running around in a 20th Century flight suit in some episodes (The "Nazi SS uniform in reverse" with a pride flag armband that he wore in the first season was awesome in a "We're from the future, we're here to help you" utopian sort of way, but Buck in the flightsuit emphasized the "Man out of time" element).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-79101886527292888282012-08-03T06:56:19.851-04:002012-08-03T06:56:19.851-04:00Thanks for the post, and putting into words one of...Thanks for the post, and putting into words one of the great frustrations not only with this show, but other series that couldn't commit to decent female characterizations back then. It was like the Seventies scared the crud out of the Suits, and they reacted to what was going on around them by trying to roll the clock back. And sadly, much like BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA, a version of that reaction too has also been revived for our times...Jim Ryanhttp://redjennybuffalo.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-3465163145182269462012-08-02T23:51:46.930-04:002012-08-02T23:51:46.930-04:00I really like the retro look of the flight attenda...I really like the retro look of the flight attendant costume, but that ain't Wilma.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-86465616721161580922012-08-02T23:00:39.255-04:002012-08-02T23:00:39.255-04:00While I'm no great defender of Larson, an effi...While I'm no great defender of Larson, an efficient but creatively-uninspired and imitative producer, I sincerely think most of the blame for the final form of these shows can be laid squarely at the feet of the networks involved. <br /><br />They dictated the direction and content of shows back then (and still do). Producers had little choice but go along, otherwise they'd be out of a job.Christopher Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-20099446517199637922012-08-02T22:53:51.171-04:002012-08-02T22:53:51.171-04:00Isn't this sort of par for the course for Glen...Isn't this sort of par for the course for Glen Larson in that era, though? They wrecked Battlestar Galactica much the same way with Galactica 1980 in the second season. Both times, a passable show with some attraction for younger viewers in its first season became positively juvenile.Thunderbird 7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-15246979527986069432012-08-02T17:42:51.159-04:002012-08-02T17:42:51.159-04:00They did the same thing in "Man From Atlantis...They did the same thing in "Man From Atlantis." In the 4 original movies Elizabeth Merrill is clearly in charge and Mark turns to her for insight/advice. When the series started Mark was in charge of the cetacean, occupying the center seat and giving orders and Elizabeth was shunted off to to be just another crew member. It didnt even really makes sense .. Mark was still learning about the world etc and Merrill was a scientist. I always wondered if that was why she left prior to the 13 episode series was cancelled.adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296638267501189558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-85257722220584550192012-08-02T15:52:24.209-04:002012-08-02T15:52:24.209-04:00I loved Erin Gray in both seasons but that outfit ...I loved Erin Gray in both seasons but that outfit in season 2 was the worst she looks like a Love Boat Reject.I did read that when the new Producer took over season 2 he was cheap and was cutting corners in every dept.I mean heck he got rid of the Twiki's Mel Blanc voice for gods sakes,Gil Gerard demanded Mel return to do the voice and he didMichelangelo Naveahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05965327913298374961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-3612944331674221642012-08-02T15:07:58.506-04:002012-08-02T15:07:58.506-04:00Just looked at 'Space 1970' for the first ...Just looked at 'Space 1970' for the first time in a week and got greeted by the breathtaking Erin Gray in skin-tight spandex. Ain't life great?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-17432914100915496992012-08-02T14:43:22.031-04:002012-08-02T14:43:22.031-04:00I agree with you, Christopher. The best part of se...I agree with you, Christopher. The best part of season 2 was Hawk.The Big Red Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181527527613194287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-35889678881324797832012-08-02T14:16:27.911-04:002012-08-02T14:16:27.911-04:00Rewatched the series from start to finish a couple...Rewatched the series from start to finish a couple of years ago. I remembered it as being cheesy fun for kids and... well, mostly kids. I was surprised at how complete the world created for the show was filled out in the first season. They had a pretty developed government and military structure. Different colored uniforms for different services, etc. And Wilma was the perfect vehicle to guide us through the military side of it. Of course, for the second season all of that was scraped and the show really became what I thought I remembered it as being. If Gerard could have played Buck like he did in the second season, but set in the first season, I think the show would have had a chance.Terrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08841965361678105439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-11917856992792975492012-08-02T12:33:40.027-04:002012-08-02T12:33:40.027-04:00I think the second season opener which introduced ...I think the second season opener which introduced Hawk was pretty decent, but it was all downhill from there. I had the good fortune of meeting Erin Gray at MegaCon in Orlando back in 2002 and she was really sweet...and still just as dropdead gorgeous as she was on Buck Rogers.Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-46756925968981068082012-08-02T11:27:35.739-04:002012-08-02T11:27:35.739-04:00I saw Gil Gerard and the lovely Erin Grey at a con...I saw Gil Gerard and the lovely Erin Grey at a convention a couple of years ago and they both disliked the direction the 2nd season took. Mr. Gerard said that the first few episodes of the 1st season were his favorites as the producers tried to add a little tragedy and pathos to his character of a man out of time, but it quickly devolved into fist fights and "babe-of-the-week" cliches as the season went on. As a kid, those nuances were lost on me, but I loved Buck and Wilma's derring-do as they were sent on missions by Dr. Huer. I wish they had stuck with that format for the 2nd season, just adding a little more drama and realism to the tone. I hate the 2nd season with a passion. I remember as a kid seeing "Time of the Hawk" and thinking they had ruined my favorite show. It only got worse from there. I re-watch the first season al the time and pretend the 2nd season never happened.Mike Cunliffenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-69159462671546190552012-08-02T10:15:25.264-04:002012-08-02T10:15:25.264-04:00Yes, I vividly recall both years.. mercifully the ...Yes, I vividly recall both years.. mercifully the 2nd year didn't last long. It was a disaster, so painful to watch.<br /><br />The 1st year was in it's groove and while I missed Galactica tremendously, Buck's first year had it's nice aspects, foremost that it was 'cool' in not taking itself seriously; more 'tongue-in-cheek', which when done well, is fun to watch.<br /><br />Girard wanted it more like Trek in the 2nd year, messing up the charm and chemistry built in the first year, and like Space:1999, whenever a show wants to 'go Trek' in it's 2nd year, that's unfortunately what you get. It's no longer original, fresh, you never get 'that audience' you wanted, and it ends up doing creatively just what you intended, in the worst ways.<br /><br />Let Trek be Trek. <br /><br />Let Space:1999 be Space:1999.<br /><br />Let Buck be Buck.<br /><br />Just saw Ms Gray at Detroit's ComicCon, and she's STILL gorgeous and sweet..!!david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-86174549977351246032012-08-02T10:02:06.108-04:002012-08-02T10:02:06.108-04:00Buck Rogers was at best goofy fun and it works on ...Buck Rogers was at best goofy fun and it works on that level. That was the first season and I still watch all of the first season fairly often. I remember thinking season two was lame when I was a kid. When Buck came out on DVD I bought and thought maybe I would appreciate season two more. If anything it's even worse to me now. It's like everything that worked in season was sacrificed or switched around.Metal Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18400759786407810475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-63179146150988294272012-08-02T08:19:49.804-04:002012-08-02T08:19:49.804-04:00While I want to like the second season (c'mon,...While I want to like the second season (c'mon, they thought to have an Admiral named Asimov, and referenced the good Doctor and his laws ), I just can't. I don't rewatch those episodes, but happily rewatch first season ones.Paul Weimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444942522624902562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-47500453249699587722012-08-02T06:19:56.181-04:002012-08-02T06:19:56.181-04:00The second season of Buck Rogers In The 25th Centu...The second season of <i>Buck Rogers In The 25th Century</i> had an almost entirely different production staff. The show only barely got renewed for the second season, so the network felt the show needed to be re-tooled. A new producer was hired, a new format was created (if you can call such a derivative premise "created"), and new writers were brought onboard. Gil Gerard also insisted that his character be reworked and made more serious. Making matters more complicated, a writer's strike delayed the season, forcing it to rush into production with undercooked scripts.<br /><br />So, there were a lot of problems with <i>Buck</i> Year Two. It just happens that tonight, the treatment of Erin Gray's character bugged me the most. :)Christopher Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-6488432420574250482012-08-02T05:57:10.198-04:002012-08-02T05:57:10.198-04:00Were the writers changed for the second season? I...Were the writers changed for the second season? I'll check and see if you did an article about why the show changed so much, but if you haven't, that might be a cool topic for the future. I for one am always interested in the behind the scenes stuff, and why shows ended up the way they did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-5257717554567302422012-08-02T05:31:45.653-04:002012-08-02T05:31:45.653-04:00Loved the first season of BR25C, but, like most ot...Loved the first season of BR25C, but, like most others, really thought the second season was a major disappointment.<br />I remember watching that first S2 episode and hearing Twiki's new voice, and thinking... what have they done?!!!???<br />So glad they swiftly changed it back to Mel Blanc.<br /><br />And yeah, changing Wilma from a kick ass, no nonsense heroine to a glorified flight attendant was a bad, bad move.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3893206653438189717.post-15136945941524215732012-08-02T03:04:09.247-04:002012-08-02T03:04:09.247-04:00I couldn't stand the little robot-Twiggy??- an...I couldn't stand the little robot-Twiggy??- and I was probably their target audience. Deering and the 'princess' were the best parts. Not just for the tight clothes, but that they had impact on what happened-IIRC. Buck was just a doofus. The Hawkman guy didn't work for me in the second season. Didn't his mate die? Didn't that remove any reason he had to cooperate with them? I barely remember it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com